Two days ago, while seated in a car, Shiyé Bidzííl and a friend, both Standing Rock Water protectors, were boxed in by two trucks and confronted by two masked men saying, “take your protesting asses back home… Us North Dakota people are going to fuck you up— every last one of you. We know who you are. We follow you too. We fuck your wives at home— we hope you like it. We’re here to fuck you up too. You threaten us? You threaten our people? We’ll fuck you up. All of you.” After some commotion, a man can be seen in the distance chasing another man, also a Water Protector.
The video lasted about three and a half minutes, and license plates from the trucks have been pulled. And, since the video was posted, a meme has emerged naming Chris Lemke, (the former spokesperson for Defend Bisman), as one of the masked men. Lemke was filmed harassing Shiyé Bidzííl not long before this, so it is not without some reasonable guesswork, but for now, that’s all it can be proven to be.
Defend Bisman, formed in response to the NoDAPL actions around Bismarck and Mandan, and claim to be defenders of the two towns against the Standing Rock Water Protectors who they see as a violent threat. As it turns out, I have interviewed Lemke twice over the course of the past month. He and his group typically stand across from NoDAPL action, carrying signs with opposing viewpoints, which has branded them as “anti-NoDAPL,” though Lemke insists that this is unfair, saying, 99% of the ‘protestors’ are peaceful, but it is the 1% bad apples who are violent, and that is who we are defending against.
In both interviews I’ve conducted with Lemke, he has denounced violence, but always hints that there may be unseen actions taken by Water Protectors which justify the violent actions of the police. I strongly disagree with this point of view— But it should also be noted that I haven’t seen a second source outside of the meme that can confirm Lemke as either of the men in the confrontation.
Since the video of the threatening confrontation was published, Lemke reached out to me insisting he had no part in the interaction. From what I can see, I neither of the two men sound like Lemke or have the same eyes. That said, via my conversation, Lemke indicated that he has insider information and has taken it to the police, (for what that’s worth). It is hard to know what to make of it all, so here is the conversation so you can judge for yourself.
**NOTE: The photo montage of the Defend Bisman members had an edit to remove a woman from the original article, since she has been identified as a photographer, NOT Defend Bisman.
CL: Good morning, Chris Lemke here. I have all of the information on the two criminals who blocked in and threatened Dean Redman Jr at the Ramada hotel. Dean seems to think it was me but I don't know how to get in contact with him. I've sent him fb messages with no reply. I swear on my children's lives that I had no knowledge or anything to do with it. I've been working like crazy to get this information as it seems like law enforcement will be no help. If there is any way you could get my number to Dean and maybe let him know I'm not a threatening or violent person, I would be forever grateful. My two daughters are getting threatening messages now. All I want is for them to be safe. Hopefully if I identify the two people in the video who threatened him and talk to him for a while he will help clear my name from all of this. I know you don't have many reasons to believe me or help me but I don't know where else to turn. Thanks for listening.
RW: I'm just getting to facebook etc, and getting tagged-- people saying you are in that video. Obviously everyone is wearing masks-- so I can't see anything-- but if you were involved, it looks like you better turn yourself in. If not, I am in Bismarck for court stuff. We could livestream if you want to tell your side to the rest of Standing rock.
I don't know how to get in touch with him either-- but I know you obviously want to tell your side-- so I will post on facebook. You either need to address it publicly or turn yourself in, regardless of innocence or guilt. If you believe in the system, that is the process. Remember, I'm going through it after getting beat up and arrested unjustly, and there are hundreds of others who must go through it as well. I am 100% innocent-- and the DAPL workers and Sheriff Chad Kaiser and officer Mandi Snyder are the ones who committed the crimes-- They are 100% guilty-- but I have to go to them, and go to court to defend my innocence. It is the process.
CL: I spent the afternoon with the police explaining to them how everything happened and how my name ended up in the middle. The two that were there will be arrested in a matter of days. I was assured that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This community does not stand for violence and those two embarrassed us all that day.
RW: I have to admit I have about zero faith that the police here will handle the situation properly. You know what I have gone through-- that said, I hope they are found and brought to justice. I think if you are for real and believe they should be brought to justice, it would make sense to tell your side to people at Standing Rock. Like I said, I can try to facilitate-- but I've gotta head back down that way unless you say otherwise.
CL: I would rather go down there and address the issue. I'm hoping it would show that I truly do trust and respect everyone down there.
RW: You could do that too.
CL: I'm about to head into church with my daughters. Hopefully I can make it down there in the next couple of days. I will be in touch. Thank you for taking the time to listen.
CL: Why would you post our conversation?
RW: I don't think it should need repeating, but since you asked-- Over five hundred innocent human beings have been arrested-- many have been beaten, (like myself), had thousands of dollars of possessions stolen, (like myself), attacked by dogs, maced, pepper-sprayed, suffered hypothermia, been shot by rubber bullets, (some while in prayer), inhaled tear gas, shot with tear gas canisters, shot at with concussion grenades, and have had their arm or eye mutilated. The police here are totally lawless, and it is clear for everyone to see. You saw what they did the night of the water cannons. Wake up to that. You choose to protect yourself rather than to do what is right and share the information you have. I gave you a platform to make your case and publicly denounce these violent threats and speak for mutual understanding. The people at Standing Rock are fighting for their lives, and this is as about as serious as it gets. Do you think any of the people who have suffered at the hands of the Morton County Police have any faith that the police will do anything but protect these masked vigilantes? Is there any truth in ANYTHING you told me? It is difficult to understand why you haven't stepped up like a man, and immediately shared what information you have about the cowards threatening the Standing Rock people who are doing nothing more than trying to protect EVERYONE's drinking water. If you protect these people, are you any better than they are? Ask yourself. I am writing a story and will publish soon. I will be fair, and am willing to hear anything else you would like to say. Obviously, it is difficult to prove anything beyond what we can see in the new video, but it looks like there is plenty to cross-reference from unpublished video at previous public events.
CL: Good luck Rod. You sure are a piece of work.
RW: What does this random video of a man ranting about guns and Trump have to do with the two Water Protectors who were threatened? He says that liberals shooting each other would be hilarious. If you're trying to sell me on your innocence and your claim that you want mutual understanding, you might want to reconsider your angle.
RW: In our second interview, you claimed there was a photo of a police officer who suffered a six inch gash across his head inflicted by Water Protectors. I never got the photo you promised to send me. I was unable to find that, which means your "facts" are not adding up. Can you send that to me?
Full interview
Short clip